BACK
the result we have what is called the yob culture. The Scripture says: “The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame” (Proverbs 29:15). For those who don’t think of the Bible as the Word of God one would point out that the author of the Proverbs was king Solomon who was renowned for his wisdom. Further, the need for chastisement where children are concerned has been recognised throughout history. To set aside the practice of are forefathers is unwise to say the least. The evolutionist no doubt thinks that in our evolution we have grown wiser and more humane than our forefathers. If we look at the world today the state of the nations does not bear this out.

However, we are not required to put the world right, but to be right ourselves. Further, we should ensure that we are right in our houses. As Paul says of one who aspires to exercise oversight in the Assembly he should be: “conducting his own house well, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity; (but if one does not know how to conduct his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:4/5). Children are to be brought up in the “discipline and admonition of [the] Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). This may involve corporal and other punishments. Control must be exercised otherwise the house could become unruly and the children a danger to themselves and others; so Paul says to Titus that an elder’s children should not be “accused of excess or unruly.” (Titus 1:6).

What is done in the world we cannot control, though we can set an example which would be valid for Christians and non-Christians alike. In our houses we should exercise control. This was recognised as far back as the Persian regime by Ahasuerus. “Every man should bear rule in his own house” (Esther 1:22). If there is no man, or he is at work or otherwise away from home then the woman should rule the house (1 Timothy 5:14). The passage in Timothy should not be used to negate other passages, such as “Woman’s head [is] the man” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Today there is religious liberty in the Western world. There is no real interference in the way religious services are carried on, but there is a trend which could lead to the regulation of our lives outside what is congregational, and we need to be careful that we do not allow our duty to do the Lord’s will in our household arrangements to be overridden by government legislation.

Chastisement is spoken of throughout the Bible. The book of Job (probably the most ancient book in

NEXT